call recording with Pixel 4A & Android 11

[mickelsharples]

Call recording is important enough for me that I've stuck with a Samsung S5 for the last five years now solely to ensure all my calls are recorded. Sadly this phone is close to dying and I was interested in the Pixel 4A.

On the ACR reddit page it mentions that true two-way-call-recording from the audio source should be possible on Android 11 by rooting the phone and installing something called the Magisk repo with the “callrecorder-skvalex” module. I'm just looking for reassurance that this will work with the Pixel 4A before I buy it please.

Also, other than voiding the warranty is there any issues that arise with rooting your phone? Are you still able to download apps from the google play store with a rooted phone?


edit: I would be buying the UK version if that makes a difference.

 

[7oey]

Rooting your phone will make your phone less secure but as long as you use common sense when it comes to the apps and modules you install you should be fine. Google Pay will not work on a rooted phone (unless you spoof safetynet), but you will keep all google play functionality. Ive noticed that netflix disappears from Google Play when your phone is rooted, but you can just download it from a mirror site or the Aurora Store.

I havent personally used the module you mentioned, so i cant comment on whether or not itll work. And of course unlocking the bootloader will factory reset your device.

 

[coolpoete]

Call recording is important enough for me that I've stuck with a Samsung S5 for the last five years now solely to ensure all my calls are recorded. Sadly this phone is close to dying and I was interested in the Pixel 4A.

On the ACR reddit page it mentions that true two-way-call-recording from the audio source should be possible on Android 11 by rooting the phone and installing something called the Magisk repo with the “callrecorder-skvalex” module. I'm just looking for reassurance that this will work with the Pixel 4A before I buy it please.

Also, other than voiding the warranty is there any issues that arise with rooting your phone? Are you still able to download apps from the google play store with a rooted phone?


edit: I would be buying the UK version if that makes a difference.

Check out this article see if any of these apps might work for you: https://www.androidauthority.com/best-call-recorder-apps-android-1001838/

 

[mickelsharples]

I havent personally used the module you mentioned, so i cant comment on whether or not itll work. And of course unlocking the bootloader will factory reset your device.

Cheers for the info. Sounds like you Magisk... can I ask what method or guide you used to root your pixel and install Magisk?

 

[Allen77777]

Cheers for the info. Sounds like you Magisk... can I ask what method or guide you used to root your pixel and install Magisk?

Use the standard patching of boot.img then boot it and direct install of magisk. Google hosts their own factory images where you can get the boot image.
Here's the guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-4a/how-to/guide-unlock-root-pixel-4a-t4153773

 

[LastQuestion]

Call recording is important enough for me that I've stuck with a Samsung S5 for the last five years now solely to ensure all my calls are recorded. Sadly this phone is close to dying and I was interested in the Pixel 4A.

On the ACR reddit page it mentions that true two-way-call-recording from the audio source should be possible on Android 11 by rooting the phone and installing something called the Magisk repo with the “callrecorder-skvalex” module. I'm just looking for reassurance that this will work with the Pixel 4A before I buy it please.

Also, other than voiding the warranty is there any issues that arise with rooting your phone? Are you still able to download apps from the google play store with a rooted phone?


edit: I would be buying the UK version if that makes a difference.

I'm in the same exact boat as the OP. Galaxy S5, trying to find a phone to maintain call recording. Am trying a G950F first, but so far not looking good. Tmobile SIM in it to undo RMM=Prenormal and cell signal is terrible. 1 to 0 bars, -115dBm LTE signal (-120dBm being the 'worst' as I've learned). So considering the Pixel 4a despite wanting more storage than 128gb. Would prefer OnePlus except the size is to...not something I want to try to fit in my pockets, despite having large hands that would like a larger phone.

Very interested in hearing peoples rooting experiences on Pixel 4a and call recording functionality.

 

[banjker]

I'm coming from an S7 myself. My 4a has Android 11 installed and with the Callrecorder app from Skvalex + the corresponding Magisk module, call recording worked perfectly. After thinking how many times I actually needed the recorded call on my old S7, I decided to get rid of the call recording app.

 

[beeshyams]

Latest version of Boldbeast Recorder with their Magisk module works perfect

 

[yaconsult]

I am sad to report that skyvalex call recorder does not record calls on my new pixel 4a 5G and I just emailed the developer about it. It used to work on my pixel 3a with android 10.

The program runs and creates audio files of the expected length, but when you play them back, there is no audio. And, yes, my phone is rooted with magisk and has the skyvalex magisk module installed. I suspect that something has changed in android 11 that is keeping it from capturing the audio.

I shall now try boldbeast since beeshyams says it works for him.

 

[LastQuestion]

I am sad to report that skyvalex call recorder does not record calls on my new pixel 4a 5G and I just emailed the developer about it. It used to work on my pixel 3a with android 10.

The program runs and creates audio files of the expected length, but when you play them back, there is no audio. And, yes, my phone is rooted with magisk and has the skyvalex magisk module installed. I suspect that something has changed in android 11 that is keeping it from capturing the audio.

I shall now try boldbeast since beeshyams says it works for him.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm expecting delivery of a 4a 5g and want calling recording. So I'm hopeful that you making Skyvalex aware might accelerate the development of a fix.

Also, I don't know if this will be of help, but in my research last year I encountered this comment on an XDA article (thank goodness I bookmarked things!):
" Lexxior • 8 months ago • edited

It still works on Pie and Q if you have root. Just install app systemizer from Magisk and turn your desired call recorder into a system app. I have been using ACR for months this way and it works flawlessly."

https://www.xda-developers.com/android-11-call-recording/#comment

maybe if you can't find a app to work with root systemizing will still work well on Android 11 as well.

Edit: did some more searching around, came across an interesting post on BoldBeast. last post in thread by Admin:
https://www.boldbeast.com/forum/top...issions-for-android-11-for-pixel-2-xl-p2.html
apparently latest version of boldbeast should work fine on Android 11 according to developer.

 

[yaconsult]

I am sad to report that skyvalex call recorder does not record calls on my new pixel 4a 5G and I just emailed the developer about it. It used to work on my pixel 3a with android 10.

The program runs and creates audio files of the expected length, but when you play them back, there is no audio. And, yes, my phone is rooted with magisk and has the skyvalex magisk module installed. I suspect that something has changed in android 11 that is keeping it from capturing the audio.

I shall now try boldbeast since beeshyams says it works for him.

Aha! The skyvalex developer figured it out after I contacted him and sent logs! The problem was that I was connected to wifi and so the phone was using VoLTE, or VoIP, or Wi-Fi for calling. None of these can be recorded - only calls using the phone network.. So I turned off wifi and then the calls were properly recorded on the 4a 5G using skyvalex call recorder with the magisk module. I am happy that I can get high quality phone call recording again.

This limitation is caused by android, not the app and is documented in the faq here: https://callrecorder.skvalex.com/faq I checked and the boldbeast app has the same limitation: Only normal calls can be recorded, wifi calls can't be recorded no matter what recorder you are using, so if your phone supports the wifi call feature please disable it.

I am going to create a simple tasker scene that will turn off wifi whenever I place or answer a phone call - I think that may solve the problem for me. If you get empty recording files, try turning off wifi before starting your call and tell us what you find.

---------- Post added at 11:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 PM ----------

Oh, I forgot to mention that I found out through some google searches that you can also record phone calls by using the built-in screen recorder BUT you do have to have speakerphone on or it won't hear the person on the other end.

Not an ideal method as it records not only the audio but also whatever is happening on the screen but it could be useful in a pinch. To make it easier to access, you can drag the Screen Record icon to the first page of the Android Quick Settings. I used this method a couple of times before the dev helped me get skyvalex working again by turning off wifi. The resulting files are bigger than you would like because they include a video of the screen but you could always extract the audio only if you wanted/needed to.